Full Driving Licences

Who may apply for a full driving licence?

A person can apply for a full driving licence in the following circumstances:

• They hold a driving licence which will expire within three months and you wish to renew it, or
• They have held a driving licence which expired less than 10 years ago and you wish to renew it, or
• They hold a driving licence and you wish to have an additional category of vehicle added to it and a driving test is not required, or
• They have recently passed a driving test, or
• They are exchanging a current valid driving licence issued by another Member State of the European Union or of the European Economic Area or another 'recognised state'

Period of licence

If you are under 60 years of age you may apply for a 10 or 3 year licence.

If you are over 60 but under 67 years of age you may apply for a licence, which will expire, when you reach 70 years of age or for a 3 year licence.

If you are over 67 but under 70 years of age you may apply for a three year licence.

If you are over 70 years of age you may apply for a 3 year or 1 year licence subject to certification of fitness to drive by your doctor.

To apply for a first full driving licence an application must be accompanied by:

• Fully completed and signed driving licence application form D401
• Two recent identical passport sized photographs (signed on reverse)
• Current or most recent provisional licence/learner permit. If this is not available the appliant must submit a duplicate permit application form D401. This form must be stamped and signed at at a Garda Station.
• Certificate of Competency. If converting from provisional/permit to full. Please note that the certificate is only valid for two years from the date of issue
• The appropriate fee of:
  • €5 for a one year licence
  • €15 for a three year licence
  • €25.00 for a 10 year licence
  • The licence is free is you are seventy years of age or more on the commencement of the licence
• A Medical Report Form D501 completed by a registered doctor if you have answered yes to any of the disability/illnesses questions on the application form other than questions 16 and 17. Please note a medical report is only valid for one month from issue. An applicant applying for a full licence in categories C1, C, D1, D, EC1, EC, ED1, ED, requires a medical unless they have previously submitted a medical which is still valid for the required categories. A medical report is compulsory for any category if the applicant will be 70 years of age or more on the first day of the period for which the licence is being issued

Notes:

It should be noted that entitlement to the higher categories on a licence or permit expire when the medical expires. If the applicant does not submit a medical to renew any higher categories held, they will not receive this categories and will automatically be issued with licence for which ever of the following categories they previously held A1, A, B, EB, W.

If the applicant is changing their name when converting from leaner permit to a full licence the applicant must submit evidence of the this change e.g. Marriage Cert or Deed Poll.

To apply for the renewal of a full driving licence the application must be accompanied by:

• Fully completed and signed driving licence application form D401
• Two recent identical passport sized photographs (signed on reverse)
• Current or most recent driving licence. If this is not available the appliant must submit a duplicate permit application form D401. This form must be stamped and signed at at a Garda Station.
• The appropriate fee of:
  • €5 for a one year licence
  • €15 for a three year licence
  • €25.00 for a 10 year licence
  • The licence is free is you are seventy years of age or more on the commencement of the licence
• If the name on the current licence application form differs from that on the old driving licence the applicant must submit supporting documentation e.g. passport in new name, deed poll or marriage certificate
• Medical report, if applicable